Radical on Ribble and all that jazz

Soweto Kinch’s jazz-infused radical hip-hop is kicking up a storm, and this extraordinary musician makes a triumphant return to the county as a headline act at the 2015 Ribble Valley Jazz Festival.

Saxophonist, composer and poet Kinch performed to a sell-out crowd at The Atrium venue, under Clitheroe Castle last year, and plays the town’s Grand Theatre next month.

“I’m thrilled about playing Ribble Valley Jazz, Clitheroe has a special vibe and I loved going there,” said Kinch, right.

Geoff Jackson of the festival team, feels the headline acts at the festival, from May 1 to 4, will reach new heights.

He said: “It’s an adventurous line-up. Apart from the fantastic Soweto Kinch, we’ve Baked a la Ska and the Northern Jazz Orchestra, plus 350 other musicians and 50 bands.

“This is the sixth festival and it promises to be the biggest and best yet.”

Another highlight will be US singer Stacey Kent, one of the leading female singers from the jazz world.

The Atrium provides a dancefloor friendly alternative with Manchester ten-piece Baked A-la-ska guaranteed to raise the roof of this tiny venue, along with dub jazz bone-shakers Dread Supreme.

On day one, highly regarded British saxophonist Alan Skidmore leads a star quintet in homage to John Coltrane and his long-time collaborator, drummer Elvin Jones.

Festival Sunday showcases a band led by British sax-man Andy Sheppard, one of very few British artists to make a significant impact internationally. The all-star group also features drummer Sebastian Roachford, whose own project Polar Bear, has won widespread critical acclaim.

As ever, the festival is more than just headline shows with smaller venues in Clitheroe including The Rose and Crown, The Old Post House, Inn at The Station and The Emporium.

The music will also reach into Ribble Valley’s rural parts too with the Bayley Arms in Hurst Green and the Spread Eagle at Sawley staging gig.

For more information visit the festival website www.rvjazzandblues.co.uk or that of the Clitheroe Grand www.thegrandvenue.co.uk (call 01200 421599.

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